Talent

Connect the talent assets of Northwest Florida to key industry clusters and ensure a dynamic and diverse workforce for new and growing businesses.

Talent Strategies

• Create a regional workforce training and development initiative designed to meet the needs of large employers relocating or expanding in Northwest Florida.
• Better leverage separated and retired military personnel as a key talent pool for target industry clusters.
• Explore establishing an employer-driven workforce training initiative focused on assisting underemployed and long-term unemployed residents.
• Develop a regional talent recruitment program.
• Expand work-based learning and career exploration opportunities for students.
• Further leverage the manufacturing academies model to expand the promotion of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs and technical skills development as early as grade school to build long-term talent supply in the region.
• Increase employability skills training programs to reduce employment barriers for all students and adults, with a particular focus on underserved populations.

Project Implementation 

Students and families in Bay, Escambia, Holmes, Jackson, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Washington Counties will have easily accessible information to make more informed decisions about education and career options at their fingertips through Career Pathways.

Specific education pathways from middle school through university level are compiled in an easy-to-follow “First, Next, Later” in a number of in-demand industry sectors along with job titles and expected hourly wages at each education level.

The program is being made possible through a five-year grant from the Gulf Power Foundation to the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations with Career Pathways websites and resources being developed in the company’s eight county service territory. Visit NorthwestFloridaCareerPathways.com.